Dianthus plant named ‘DDTSS12-0’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Dianthus  cultivar named ‘DDTSS12-0’ is disclosed, characterized by unique bi-color double flowers. Plants bloom for an extended period into the Summer and are hardy to USDA Zone 5. The new variety is a  Dianthus , typically produced as a garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Dianthus hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘DDTSS12-0’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program. The new variety originated as the result of the crossing of the female parent, an unpatented, proprietary Dianthus referred to as ‘13-0309-003’ and the pollen parent, a different unpatented proprietary Dianthus referred to as ‘14-0205-003’. ‘DDTSS12-0’ was discovered and selected by the inventor, Niels Arts at a commercial greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif., in May of 2017.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘DDTSS12-0’ was first performed in Santa Paula, Calif. at a research greenhouse by vegetative terminal cuttings in April of 2018. ‘DDTSS12-0’ has since produced several generations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DDTSS12-0’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘DDTSS12-0’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘DDTSS12-0’ as a new and distinct Dianthus cultivar:

-   -   1. Unique bi-color pink and red flowers.     -   2. Day-length neutral flowering.     -   3. Suitability for both garden and container uses.     -   4. Extended bloom time into Summer months.     -   5. Hardy to USDA Zone 5.

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DDTSS12-0’ are comparable to the seed parent in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘DDTSS12-0’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety produces lighter pink bicolor flowers than         the seed parent.     -   2. Foliage of the new variety is brighter green than foliage of         this comparator.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DDTSS12-0’ are comparable to the pollen parent in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘DDTSS12-0’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety produces double flowers, the pollen parent         produces single flowers.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DDTSS12-0’ are comparable to the commercial Dianthus variety ‘DDTHP02-0’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,102. The two Dianthus varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘DDTSS12-0’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety produces bicolor flowers while this         comparator has solid pink flowers.     -   2. Foliage of the new variety is brighter green than foliage of         this comparator.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DDTSS12-0’ are comparable to the commercial Dianthus variety ‘DCACR08-0’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,026. The two Dianthus varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘DDTSS12-0’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety produces bicolor flowers while this         comparator has solid dark pink flowers.     -   2. Foliage of the new variety is brighter green than foliage of         this comparator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘DDTSS12-0’ grown outdoors in Santa Paula, Calif. This plant is approximately 20 weeks old, shown in a 1 gallon pot.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of the flowers.

The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Colour Chart, 2007, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘DDTSS12-0’ plants in a commercial greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif. Temperatures ranged from 10° C. to 29° C. night and day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Natural light conditions were approximately 2500 to 4000 fc of light. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Dianthus hybrid ‘DDTSS12-0’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: About 10 days at approximately 24° C. -   Time to produce a rooted cutting: About 18 days at 24 ° C. -   Root description: Fibrous roots, approximately 1 to 3 mm in     diameter, colored near Orange-White 159C.

PLANT

-   Pot size: 4 inches. -   Plant type: Compact upright perennial. -   Plant habit: Upright growing stems emerge basally. -   Plant spread: Approximately 19 cm. -   Height: Approximately 22 cm to top of flowering plane. Approximately     17 cm to top of foliar plane. -   Length plant stem: Average 10 cm. -   Diameter of plant stem: Approximately 3.0 mm. -   Quantity stems: Approximately 30. -   Stem:     -   -   Color.—Near Yellow-Green N138A.         -   Texture.—Smooth. -   Internode length: Average 2.5 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite (in pairs).         -   Quantity.—Approximately 10-12 fully expanded per stem.             Average range of 4-6 immature leaves per stem.         -   Average length.—4.0-6.0 cm.         -   Average width.—0.5-1.0 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Linear.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Clasping.         -   Attachment.—Sessile.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth.         -   Pubescence.—None.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near Green N138A. Young             foliage under side: Near Green N138A. Mature foliage upper             side: Near Green N138B. Mature foliage under side: Near             Green N138B.         -   Venation.—Type: Linear with a prominent mid vein. Venation             color upper side: Indistinguishable from foliage. Venation             color under side: Indistinguishable from foliage.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Perpetual flowering. -   Inflorescence type and habit: Umbel of 1 to 3 double flowers. -   Flower longevity on plant: 2-3 weeks. -   Quantity of flowers: Approximately 40 flowers on a 20 week old     plant. -   Persistent or self-cleaning: Persistent. -   Fragrance: Moderately strong floral scent. -   Inflorescence size:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 6.0 cm.         -   Height.—Approximately 3.5 cm. -   Individual flower size:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 3.5 cm.         -   Length.—Approximately 3.0 cm. -   Petals:     -   -   Petal arrangement.—Whorled, multiple whorl.         -   Shape.—Spatulate, with an elongated narrow base and             orbicular distal section.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Serrated.         -   Apex.—Sharply serrated or notched.         -   Length.—2.0-2.5 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 1.5 cm.         -   Petal quantity.—Average range 16 to 20.         -   Texture.—Smooth all surfaces.         -   Aspect.—Flat to slightly undulating. -   Color:     -   -   When opening.—Upper surface: Near Red-Purple 63D, with             Red-Purple 61A flare toward base, and scattered around outer             edge. Base near Red-Purple 63D. Lower surface: Near             Red-Purple 63D.         -   Fully opened.—Upper surface: Near Red-Purple 62C, with             Red-Purple 61A flare toward base, and scattered around outer             edge. Base near Red-Purple 63D. Lower surface: Near             Red-Purple 62C.         -   Fading.—Upper surface: Near Red-Purple 62C, with Red-Purple             61A flare toward base, and scattered around outer edge. Base             near Red-Purple 63D. Lower surface: Near Red-Purple 62C.             Base near Red-Purple 63D. -   Tube:     -   -   General description.—Tube consists of the elongated, unfused             base of the petals. Tube shape caused by a fused calyx.         -   Length.—2.0 cm.         -   Width.—0.5 cm.         -   Texture.—Smooth. -   Color:     -   -   Fully opened.—Inner surface: Near Green 138B. Outer surface:             Near Green 138B. -   Bud:     -   -   Shape.—Elongated cylinder.         -   Length.—Average 1.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—Average 0.5 cm.         -   Color.—Near Green 138C. -   Sepals:     -   -   Quantity.—4.         -   Arrangement.—Fused tube.         -   Shape.—Cylindric.         -   Length.—1.0 cm.         -   Width.—4.0 mm.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Texture.—Smooth upper and lower surfaces.         -   Color.—Near Green 138B. -   Bracteoles:     -   -   Shape.—Strap shaped.         -   Quantity per flower.—2.         -   Length.—Approximately 1.0 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 2 mm.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Near Green N138A. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—1.0-2.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—2.0 mm.         -   Color.—Near Green N138A.         -   Orientation.—Upright.         -   Strength.—Flexible.         -   Texture.—Smooth. -   Pedicel:     -   -   Length.—Average 0.5-1.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—1 mm.         -   Color.—Near Green N138A.         -   Orientation.—Upright.         -   Strength.—Flexible, elastic.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:     -   -   Number.—Most commonly 6.         -   Filament length.—Approximately 1 cm. -   Anthers:     -   -   Shape.—Oblong.         -   Length.—Approximately 0.2 cm.         -   Color.—Near Greyed-Yellow 160C.         -   Pollen.—Not observed. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—2.         -   Length.—Approximately 1.2 cm.         -   Style.—Length: Approximately 1.0 cm. Color: Near White             N155B. -   Stigma:     -   -   Shape.—Linear, arching.         -   Color.—White 155A.         -   Ovary shape.—Oblong.         -   Ovary diameter.—3 mm.         -   Ovary length.—6 mm.         -   Ovary color.—Near Green 139D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date. -   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to     the normal diseases and pests of Dianthus has been observed. Typical     diseases of Dianthus include: Alternaria dianthicola, Botrytis     cinerea, Erwinia chrysanthemi, Pseudomonas caryophylli, Fusarium     graminearum, Fusarium avenaceum, Fusarium culmorum and Rhizoctonia     solani, Typical pests include; various species of Thysanopthera,     various Aphis species, and various species of Tetranychus. -   Temperature tolerance: USDA zones 5 through 10 tolerant. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dianthus plant named ‘DDTSS12-0’ as herein illustrated and described. 